This land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati who extinguished a wild fire with the power of truth; Sita who proved her chastity by coming out of blazing fire unscathed and Damayanti who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. This land of piety and nobility attained plenty and prosperity and became the teacher of all the nations of the world because of such women of chastity’. (Telugu Poem)
However, some foolish people are deluded to think that they would find in foreign countries what is not available in India. What is that you cannot obtain in this sacred land? It is the treasure trove of all knowledge and wealth. Unfortunately, people lack determination. If one is determined and makes sincere efforts, there is nothing that one cannot achieve or obtain in Bharat.
The Indians in the past made strenuous efforts to conduct experiments and research in the field of education and devised an original system of education. In those days, each university specialised in one area of learning or the other. Kashi University specialised in the area of Vyakarana (grammar), Alankara Shastra (rhetoric) was the speciality of the University of Kashmir, Ujjani University imparted knowledge in the specialised area of Nyaya Shastra (law). The science of law was taught and preserved in its pristine and pure form there. Today’s laws are distorted into illegalities. On the other hand, at Ujjani, no scope was given for anything that was unlawful to enter its portals. Bharat was famous for propagating and teaching such lofty ideals and for dedicated teachers and students. The science of Ayurveda (health sciences and medicine) was very well developed in the kingdom of Bharat. In this way, each university specialized and taught a particular subject and popularised it. There several such reputed universities in ancient Bharat.
Ujjaini, Kashi, Takshashila (Taxila) and Kashmir - these were all great centres of learning. Navadvipa was a reputed centre for learning logic and law. The tenets of law that could not adequately be interpreted. Unfortunately, modern students are unaware of the great wealth and power of the fund of knowledge of India and are going all over the world in search of wealth and knowledge. This is a highly unworthy and mistaken outlook. Such ignorance should be dispelled. We should have the light of wisdom in us. Only then can we realise the Divine and experience bliss.
What you need to know today is that India is the repository of all knowledge and power. Spiritual science, physical sciences and fine arts like music, literature and poetry had their birth in India. They were all discovered by ancient Indians. Why are the students neglecting such a sacred land? This is the mark of extreme ignorance. Students are unable to recognize this truth and are running after worldly pleasures. Even if some pleasures are obtained, it will not last long.
The universities of yore did not have huge buildings and infrastructure. The residence of the teacher itself was the university. The tree under which they Sat was the classroom. The soft words of the teacher wafted over the cool breeze and were imprinted on the minds of the students. The students were few in number. However. The capacity of the teacher to impart knowledge was immense. The teacher taught in such lucid and simple terms that students could easily understand the higher sciences and grasp advanced subjects. Such educational institutions flourished in ancient Brarath. When the Britishers came to India, they were much impressed by our system of education and attempted to investigate the cause for high standards of ancient Indian universities. They however failed in their endeavour.
The ancient system of education in India was based on Sabdapramana, i.e., the word of the mouth. The practice of writing everything was not the main mode of teaching. The students listened to the teaching imparted by the preceptor with outmost interest, which got imprinted on their hearts straightaway. This was the main reason of high standards of education in ancient India. The entire process of communication was oral. There was no timetable, or even curricula or syllabi. The teachers taught the student any science or subject that he was keen to learn. There was no interference from the government. The teaching - learning process was entirely heart-to-heart.
The students kept their hearts open and teachers filled them with knowledge. It was this heart-to heart learning that enables India to propagate wisdom and knowledge throughout the world. Lessons were taught at any time; it never mattered whether it was day or night. The hearts of the teachers were highly pure and sacred. They did not charge any fee from the students for imparting knowledge to them. It was the responsibility of the society to look after the needs of the teachers. Depending on their capacity and capability, the citizens contributed towards the livelihood of the teachers and provided them with all comforts. But never was any fee collected from the students. Thus, the education system of India was deeply sacred, highly valuable and profoundly blissful. But, unfortunately, the Indian are neglecting their ancient system of education and hence are losing an invaluable heritage of knowledge and bliss.
What were the duties of the students in those days? They rise early in the morning, perform their ablutions and prayers before commencing their studies. The students went from house to house and collected food for themselves and the teachers. The teacher would then take whatever was required for him and rest would be partaken of by the students as sanctified food. The teachers and students were totally selfless and pure hearted. It was in a sacred atmosphere that the knowledge of scriptures, epics and sacred texts was taught and learnt in ancient India.
The teachers were highly dedicated and selfless. Every nectarous thought and word that originated in their heart was transferred to the students in a loving way. As education today has been made into a commercial activity, the mind of man has become perverted. In those days, food or education was never sold. Education was made available free of cost. The shackles of commerce and trade did not bind goddess Saraswati. She was worshipped by grateful teachers and students for her grace as the bestower of the sacred knowledge to the teachers and learners.
Saraswati Namastubhyam Varadey Kamarupini,
Vid arambam Karishyami, Siddhir Bhavatume Sadha,
Padma Patra Visalakshi, Padma kesara varnani,
Nityam Padmalaya Devi,
Samampatu Saraswati, Bhagavati,
Bharati Nishesha Jadyapaha.
I begin my education with salutations to myriad-formed Saraswati, the bestower of boons. May she always grant me success! That goddess with eyes like lotus petals. Coloured like pollens of the lotus, ever residing in the lotus, may she protect me! Saraswati, Bhagawati, Bharati, Poornendu-bimbanana were her various names). Daily prayer was offered to the goddess Saraswati before starting teaching and learning. But name of Saraswati is conspicuous by its absence in the modern system of education. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by her many names, viz., Indira, Loka mata, Rama mangala devata, Bhargavi, Lokajanani, Kshira Sagara Kanyaka, ete. Prayers invoking the goddesses and extolling them by their various attributes lent purity and sweetness to the teachings of ancient Bharatiyas.
It is in such a sacred land that God repeatedly taken human form. God is not some incomprehensible figure or entity. He can be most easily experienced. Daivam manusha rupena (God takes the form of man) God incarnates in human form. Today, however, man is not ready to accept this reality of God’s incarnation in human form. Our ancients followed the paths of Karma (action), Upasana (worship) and Jnana (knowledge) to realise God. They offered prayers to God and worshipped Him in many ways.
‘Yasya jnanadayasindho
Agadhasya Anagha Guna
Sevyatham Akshayo Dheera
Sa Sriye Cha Amrutaya Cha’
(That Lord who is the ocean of Knowledge and compassion, fathomless, changeless and replete with all pure attributes is worshipped by the earnest seekers of prosperity and immortality). The sacred knowledge was offered free pf cost. There was no discrimination on the basis of caste, community, race or religion. All were considered equal. Music, literature, dance and fine arts were all encouraged and fostered. Carpentry, pottery and various branches of smithy were also encouraged and taught with dedication. The aim was to make the students self-reliant through proper education. The teacher was the repository of all knowledge. Every student received knowledge directly from the teacher. Without the teacher, there could be no learning. The teachers in those days were noble and virtuous.
The science of medicine was highly developed in ancient India. Charaka was a highly reputed and well known in the field of medical science. Today the heart-lung machine and several other complicated and sophisticated equipments are required to treat heart disease. No such gadgets were required in those days. Charaka treated the patients while chanting Mantras in praise of God to invoke His grace. The heart disease would vanish without a trace. For that matter, every disease can be cured by invoking God’s grace. One can achieve physical, mental and spiritual strength by chanting the Divine Name. (SSB 2002, pp. 18-26)